The Australian Parliamentary six-man delegation who visited Kimbe recently were given a wonderful send off with a dinner by host West New Britain Governor, Sasindran Muthuvel.
The purpose of the trip was to visit Australian Government funded projects and other areas of interest.
The team visited the building of the new Kimbe Town, community Health Post at Bitokara in Talasea LLG, Talasea High School, Mahoni and Dari, Kimbe Port and NBPOL bio gas plant.
Australia is also funding the redevelopment of eight ports in the country, which Kimbe is one of the first ports.
Governor Sasindran in his address told the delegates that the province and government are grateful of the progress the Australian High Commission has done in PNG.
“Thank you for this AIFFP Program which has the funding of almost $2million to support various infrastructure within Pacific and PNG. They’ve been also doing various programs like supporting the marine conservation studies like Mahoni and Na Dari. They have been also doing a wonderful job in educating our children in terms of Marine and Conservation studies.
“We are fortunate to have all of you to visit our province and also to understand and study on the commercial aspect and also on the cultural aspect to see the challenges which we face as a province,” said Governor Muthuvel.
On behalf of The Australian Government Delegation, President of the Australian Senate Senator Sue Lines and MP Sharon Claydon expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and send off; and appreciate PNG’s gratitude towards the many infrastructural projects initiated by the Australian government.
“There are many projects that Australia could fund into the future but that is also the need across PNG. I certainly look forward to the market project, which is going to benefit many women. Thank you very much for your hospitality, I think all of us will go away with renewed hope and interest in PNG,” said Senator Lines.
MP Claydon said, “I’ve been a guest to your country on a number of occasions now and all I see now is amazing potential. For the Australian government to partner with your greatest resource, which is the people, it’s a great honour for us.”